Netflix admits to restrict video quality for AT&T and Verizon users

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Netflix admits that it had been limiting the video quality for AT&T and Verizon users for more than five years. The media streaming company also said that it doesn’t throttle video quality for Sprint and T-Mobile users because they had more consumer friendly policies.

Netflix admits to limit video quality for AT&T and Verizon users

Netflix posted a blog on Thursday to answer the questions asked to them. The company said in the blog that it had been restricting video quality for its mobile viewers worldwide, capping them at 600 kilobits-per-second. The company doesn’t want people to get charged with hefty data overage bills because of its app.

Netflix didn’t limit the video quality for T-Mobile users because it automatically reduces the stream quality when customers have activated Binge-On. This feature lets the user stream unlimited video at lower quality. Sprint also has some similar user-friendly policies.

Netflix admits to restrict video quality for AT&T and Verizon users, but this contradicts their earlier stance

We completely understand why Netflix did that, but it also contradicts Netflix’s stance as a net neutrality supporter. Net neutrality dictates that all traffic on the internet should be treated equally and the internet service providers can’t block or slow down any website or app we use.

However, by restricting the video quality for AT&T and Verizon users, Netflix isn’t breaking any rule. The net neutrality rules aren’t applied on content providing companies, according to the Federal Communications Commission guidelines.

A Verizon spokesman said:

“Verizon delivers video content at the resolution provided by the host service, whether that’s Netflix or any other provider.”

“We’re outraged to learn that Netflix is apparently throttling video for their AT&T customers without their knowledge or consent.”

Milan Milanović was among the first to notice the difference in video quality. Actually, he likes to monitor carrier networks as a hobby. He had even posted a video on YouTube showing the lower video quality streams for AT&T and Verizon users. If you want, you can watch the video below.